2015: A Year in Review

A Year of Firsts

I know it’s cliché to say but 2015 really did fly by. The older I get, the faster time seems to fly by. For me, 2015 was a year of many firsts.

This year was the first time that I haven’t spent in a purely academic setting. Which is weird, a little disconcerting, and above all else, different. I’ve spent the majority of my life in school. I went straight from high school into university in a blink of an eye and spent four years working my ass off and earned myself a bachelor degree in two separate majors. I didn’t plan on spending this year academic free but I did. And it was definitely different. I’m still currently evaluating what I want to do and where I ultimately want to go with my academic future so stay tuned.

This year was also the first time that I really dived head first into the world of fandom and comics. It has been an experience to say the least. I’ve met a lot of amazing people that I can call friends and am truly grateful for. So for those of you who are reading this post, thank you and I love you all! I’ve learnt a lot about my voice and myself and to a certain degree how I see myself in many different facets through the world of fandom. I’m 23 years old, I’m still learning and growing and fandom and all it entails have helped me in that process, which is pretty odd and amazing at the same time. I can’t wait to continue in 2016.

I also attended my first comic expo for the first time this year. It was mind-boogling, amazing, and thoroughly exhausting all at the same time (there was a lot of walking involved). I went at it like most situations that I’m unfamiliar with, which meant I researched and created an entire itinerary for the event. And I mostly stuck to it, which I was pretty happy with. I really had a good time just drinking the whole experience in from the panels, the autograph sessions (Matt Ryan and Robbie Amell were my favourite), the amazing cosplays I saw, and all the different vendors there. I was also tweeting like a mad woman the entire time (thank god for my back-up battery pack). I’m excited to attend the 2016 Calgary Expo…I am waiting to see who else they announce before I buy my ticket though (fingers crossed for Emily Bett Rickards even though I know it’s a pipe dream but I can keep dreaming).

Mexico. Mexico was a source of many firsts and realizations for me this year. I never had the opportunity to go on an international exchange during my bachelor degree so when I got the chance to do something similar, I jumped at it. Granted, there was a whole lot of humming and hawing before I made that jump. Spending seven weeks away from home, from my family, from my friends, and from my job and all that I’m comfortable with was definitely nerve-wracking. I spent seven incredible, inspiring, character-building weeks in Mexico teaching kids about Canada, multiculturalism, and English. It was the first time that I was completely on my own. No family. No friends. Just me. I loved the culture and the people, both of which were beautiful, warm, and awe-inspiring. I made amazing life-long friends while I was there. I got to travel and explore a few different cities during action packed weekends in those seven weeks too. (The picture that you see at the beginning of my blog is a view of Guanajuato, one of the most beautiful and eclectic cities I have ever visited.)

Mexico confirmed a lot of things I knew or thought I knew about myself. I learnt that I do amazingly well thinking on my feet and pulling something out of nothing. I can withstand any type of difficult situation that occurs, literally. No wifi? Sure. Spotty electricity? Sure. Questionable sanitation facilities? Sure. Eaten alive by mosquitoes? Sure. Reptiles? NO! (I ran away and hide from a group of children who wanted to show me the lizard they caught.) I draw the line at reptiles. The one regret that I have was that I didn’t get to visit Mexico City while I was there. But there is always next time.

Family wise, I saw my baby sister graduate from high school and received news that no child ever wants to hear about their parent’s health.

2015 was a year of many firsts for me. I cannot wait to see what 2016 has in store. I wish you a very Happy New Year and prosperity in all your endeavours in the New Year. 🙂